Preface

Why This Book Exists

I wrote this book because I've seen too many teachers struggle with a frustrating paradox: they know their students need deeper learning, but they don't have the time, resources, or support to make it happen.

Concept-based inquiry (CBI) represents one of the most powerful approaches to fostering transferable understanding. When done well, it transforms students from passive receivers of information into active meaning-makers who can apply what they learn across contexts. But for too many teachers, CBI remains either unknown, intimidating, or simply impractical given their day-to-day realities.

Meanwhile, artificial intelligence has emerged as a potential game-changer for teacher planning and instruction. Yet much of what's written about AI in education focuses on futuristic possibilities rather than practical, immediate applications that can help teachers right now.

This book bridges both gaps.

What You'll Find Here

This is not a theoretical treatise on concept-based curriculum design. Nor is it a breathless celebration of AI's potential to revolutionize education. Instead, it's a practical handbook that shows you exactly how to:

• Identify and teach through concepts in your existing curriculum
• Craft generalizations that capture transferable understandings
• Design inquiry experiences appropriate for your grade level and subject
• Use AI tools strategically to enhance (not replace) your professional judgment
• Implement CBI tomorrow without waiting for perfect conditions

Every chapter includes ready-to-use templates, tested AI prompts, and concrete examples across grade levels and subject areas. The goal is for you to finish reading and immediately have tools you can use in your classroom.

Who This Book Is For

This book is for:

• Teachers who want to move beyond surface-level content coverage
• Curriculum coordinators seeking to deepen instructional quality across their schools
• Instructional coaches looking for practical resources to support teacher development
• Teacher educators preparing pre-service teachers for modern instructional approaches
• School leaders who want to understand what quality concept-based instruction looks like

Whether you're completely new to concept-based inquiry or looking to refine an existing practice, you'll find material here that meets you where you are.

How to Use This Book

This book is designed for multiple entry points:

If you're brand new to CBI: Start with Part 1 (Foundations) and work through sequentially. The progression will build your understanding step by step.

If you have some CBI background: You might skim Part 1, dive deep into Part 2 (the CBI Toolkit), and then jump to the grade-level or subject-specific chapters most relevant to you.

If you're primarily interested in AI integration: Parts 5 covers AI tools specifically, but note that AI prompts are woven throughout every chapter.

If you're ready to start immediately: Chapter 17 (Quick Start Guide) is designed for exactly this purpose. You can implement something tomorrow and learn the theory as you go.

If you want templates and tools: Part 5 and the Appendices provide extensive ready-to-use resources.

A Note on AI Prompts

Throughout this book, you'll find AI prompts designed to help with various aspects of CBI planning and implementation. These prompts are:

• Platform-agnostic: They work with ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, or other large language models
• Starting points: Customize them for your specific context
• Learning tools: Using them will deepen your own understanding of CBI principles

AI is a powerful assistant, but it's not a replacement for your professional judgment. Use these tools to amplify your expertise, not to outsource your thinking.

Acknowledgments

This book builds on the foundational work of countless educators and researchers who have developed and refined concept-based approaches over decades. While I've synthesized and adapted these ideas for practical classroom use, the intellectual heritage belongs to pioneers like Lynn Erickson, Lois Lanning, Carla Marschall, Rachel French, and the many teachers who have tested these approaches in real classrooms.

Special thanks to the educators who reviewed early drafts and provided feedback that made this book better. Any remaining errors or limitations are entirely my own.

An Invitation

Concept-based inquiry isn't a program to purchase or a script to follow. It's a way of thinking about teaching and learning that grows more natural with practice. This book gives you the tools to begin that journey.

I hope you'll find something here that transforms your practice—and through your teaching, transforms the learning of your students.

Let's begin.

Vivek M Agarwal January 2025